Hugh Laurie English actor, writer and musician Date of Birth: 11.06.1959 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Early Career and Breakthrough
3. Collaboration with Stephen Fry
4. Film and Music Career
5. "House" and International Recognition
6. Post-"House" Career
7. Personal Life and Other Interests

Early Life and Education

Hugh Laurie was born on June 11, 1959, in Oxford, England. His father was a doctor, and his mother was a homemaker. Laurie attended Dragon School, a preparatory school in Oxford, followed by Eton College, an esteemed boarding school.

After graduating from Eton, Laurie studied archaeology and anthropology at Selwyn College, Cambridge, graduating in 1981. During his time at Cambridge, he became involved in the university's dramatic society, Footlights, where he met future actors Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson.

Early Career and Breakthrough

In 1981, Laurie was elected president of the Footlights Dramatic Club. After graduating, he partnered with Thompson and Fry to stage a comedy revue, "The Cellar Tapes," which received critical acclaim and led to a television contract.

Laurie's breakthrough came in 1983 with the British sitcom "Blackadder," which starred Rowan Atkinson. Laurie played various supporting roles in the series, alongside Atkinson and his friend Stephen Fry.

Collaboration with Stephen Fry

Laurie and Fry became a successful comedy duo, creating the television series "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" (1989-1995) and adapting P.G. Wodehouse's "Jeeves" stories into the popular television series "Jeeves and Wooster" (1990-1993). Laurie played the lead role of Bertie Wooster in "Jeeves and Wooster," a part that showcased his talent for portraying a mischievous and eccentric gentleman.

Film and Music Career

In the 1990s, Laurie began to appear in films alongside his television work. He had supporting roles in "Sense and Sensibility" (1995), "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1998), and the lead role in "Maybe Baby" (2000).

Laurie also pursued a music career, releasing his debut blues album, "Let Them Talk," in 2011. He is the keyboardist for the rock band Band from TV.

"House" and International Recognition

Laurie's most iconic role came in 2004, when he was cast as Dr. Gregory House in the American medical drama "House." The character, a brilliant but cynical and unorthodox diagnostician, became a global sensation.

"House" ran for eight seasons, becoming one of the most popular and critically acclaimed television series of all time. Laurie won two Golden Globe Awards for his performance as House, and in 2011, he became a Guinness World Record holder for having the most-watched television drama actor.

Post-"House" Career

After "House" ended in 2012, Laurie continued to act in film and television. He played the lead role in the British miniseries "The Night Manager" (2016) and starred as a forensic psychiatrist in the series "Chance" (2016-2017).

Laurie also appeared in the comedy film "Holmes and Watson" (2018) and voiced the Grim Reaper in the animated film "The Canterville Ghost" (2018). In 2019, he starred in the miniseries "Catch-22" and the film adaptation of "The Personal History of David Copperfield."

Personal Life and Other Interests

Laurie is married to Jo Green, a theater administrator. They have three children.

In addition to acting and music, Laurie is an avid rower. He was the Junior Rowing Champion of Great Britain in 1977 and represented his country at the World Championships. He is currently a member of the Leander Rowing Club, the oldest rowing club in the UK.